not in the room to hear it, but his nomination drew a rare rebuke from a senate colleague-- democrat cory booker of new jersey: >> he'll be expected to defend the equal rights of gay and lesbian and transgender americans, but his record indicates that he won't. he will be expected to defend voting rights, but his record indicates that he won't. >> reporter: georgia congressman and civil rights icon john lewis also spoke against the nomination. >> it doesn't matter how senator sessions may smile, how friendly he may be, how he may speak to you, but we need someone who's going to stand up. speak up. and speak out. for the people that need help, for people that have been discriminated against. >> reporter: three black officials who worked with sessions in the past gave their support to the attorney general- designate. >> senator sessions is unquestionably qualified for the job. >> reporter: and a former attorney general, michael mukasey, came to his defense as well. >> principled, intelligent, knowledgeable, thorough, modest and thoroughly dedicated to the rule of law and the mission of the